As we get ready to start another month, the release schedule is still filling in, so let's take a look at a few singles to get us going.
Dream State - Hand In Hand
The "Recovery" EP was a very good release that I have grown quite fond of, but this new single raises the bar even higher, is their best song yet, and is perhaps my favorite song so far this year. It amazes me how they are able to bring in aspects of hardcore, yet have the music remain upbeat and catchy. This song is one that crowds at live shows will be shouting along with, no doubt. I particularly love how when the song pulls back for a moment, CJ's soft vocals, and then the shout afterwards, make her Welsh accent readily apparent. It sounds passionate, and real. If this is any indication, their upcoming debut full-length is going to be one to watch out for.
Dream State - Hand In Hand
The "Recovery" EP was a very good release that I have grown quite fond of, but this new single raises the bar even higher, is their best song yet, and is perhaps my favorite song so far this year. It amazes me how they are able to bring in aspects of hardcore, yet have the music remain upbeat and catchy. This song is one that crowds at live shows will be shouting along with, no doubt. I particularly love how when the song pulls back for a moment, CJ's soft vocals, and then the shout afterwards, make her Welsh accent readily apparent. It sounds passionate, and real. If this is any indication, their upcoming debut full-length is going to be one to watch out for.
The Nearly Deads - Halfway To Nowhere
The
band's last single, "Freakshow", was perhaps their best song yet, so
how do they follow that up? Very well, it seems. These recent songs
inject more groove to the guitars, sounding a bit grittier, and maybe
more rock because of it. TJ's vocals and hook are the key, with some
sunny-day charm and an effervescence I find alluring. Like "Freakshow",
The Nearly Deads are really hitting their stride here. I can only hope
these songs are leading to a larger release. I would love to have more
material like this.
Baroness - Borderlines
"Purple" was the first Baroness album I enjoyed, as they stripped away a lot of the sludge for a sound that was more epic, and more melodic. This new single is a continuation of that sound, for good and bad. The good is that it sets an atmosphere early, and builds a solid and strong composition around it. The bad is, like "Purple", anytime the band is playing with volume, the production is so clipped and distorted the track is ruined. I haven't listened to "Purple" since putting it on my year-end list, and I'm afraid this record is about to suffer the same fate.
Neal Morse - Get Behind Me Satan
Coming this summer, Neal adds to his collection of them with a double-concept rock opera about.... Jesus. I'm not knocking the guy for writing about his faith. I've liked plenty of his music focused on that, so that's not the issue here. The problem is that this single happens to be one of his worst songs. Neal, whether he's doing prog or pop, always writes some of the catchiest damn melodies you'll ever hear. That's what's missing from this song, which is such a generic middle-aged rocker that there's practically nothing to it. The entire piece is supposed to be diverse, and it had better be, because this first taste is not a promising start for a concept that will be hard for many to swallow anyway.
Scott Stapp - Purpose For Pain
What the hell is going on here? This year, I've already quite enjoyed an Avril Lavigne album, and now Scott Stapp has put out a lead single that's also pretty darn good. The guy got a lot of grief, and for good reason. Creed became intolerable, and Stapp joined Art Of Anarchy after the only reason to enjoy their first record had passed away. So it's with great surprise I found myself saying this new single is the best thing he's done in who knows how long. I don't know why he worked with on his upcoming record, but if it all sounds like this, we might have to get used to a world in which Scott Stapp isn't always a joke.
Coming this summer, Neal adds to his collection of them with a double-concept rock opera about.... Jesus. I'm not knocking the guy for writing about his faith. I've liked plenty of his music focused on that, so that's not the issue here. The problem is that this single happens to be one of his worst songs. Neal, whether he's doing prog or pop, always writes some of the catchiest damn melodies you'll ever hear. That's what's missing from this song, which is such a generic middle-aged rocker that there's practically nothing to it. The entire piece is supposed to be diverse, and it had better be, because this first taste is not a promising start for a concept that will be hard for many to swallow anyway.
Scott Stapp - Purpose For Pain
What the hell is going on here? This year, I've already quite enjoyed an Avril Lavigne album, and now Scott Stapp has put out a lead single that's also pretty darn good. The guy got a lot of grief, and for good reason. Creed became intolerable, and Stapp joined Art Of Anarchy after the only reason to enjoy their first record had passed away. So it's with great surprise I found myself saying this new single is the best thing he's done in who knows how long. I don't know why he worked with on his upcoming record, but if it all sounds like this, we might have to get used to a world in which Scott Stapp isn't always a joke.
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